Method of treating the interiors of containers



April 29, 1941. s. F. KIMBALL ETAL METHOD OF TREATING THE INTERIORS 0FCONTAINERS Filed Jan. 2o,' 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm; m al .4. i u l FApril 29, 1941.

S. F. KIMBALL ETAL METHOD OF TREATING THE INTERIORS OF CONTAINERS FiledJan. 20, 1939 Auuunnunnmnumv 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEYS chimes.

Patented Apr. 29, 1941 ms'mon or-maarnvamnvrnmoas or comamrzns g SamuelF. Kimball azl Sign; A. pa ama, Maine, m e ortlami mpany, Portland,Kaine, a corporation of Maine,

Application January :0, 1939, Serial No. 252,031 (mm. (01. 141-8) Ourpresent invention relates tonovel methods "of reconditioning orotherwise treating the interiors of containers of the one havingrelatively small openings.

In our United States Letters Patent No. 2,147,247, dated February 14,1939, of which the present application is a continuation in part, wehave disclosed effective and eflleient apparatus for use inreconditioning the interiors of containers so constructed thattheycannot be completetionable additional handling and because special andcostly apparatus adaptable for difierent types of containers wasrequired. In, addition, these practices did not aiford a desired degreeof efflciency and economy in thetreatment of the interiors.

ly emptied of liquid without the assistance of suction. Of suchcontainers, those used for petroleum products well illustrate theproblems involved because their construction and the location of theiropenings are varied and because their proper reconditioning requires adry interior. Not only do the containers diifer in size but also theydiffer in construction as is evidenced by the fact that the openings areof different sizes and are variously positioned relative to the Theopenings are usually defined by threaded collars which extend into theinteriors so that complete drainage through an openingwhereverpositioned is impossible. The junctions between side and endwalls alsopresent recesses within which liquid collects.

While containers have heretofore been more or less satisfactorilycleansed. the above mentioned factors have prevented completereconditioning with maximum eiilciency and economy and involvedpractices and apparatus avoided by'our present invention. For example,it has been a common practice to position the containers either duringthe delivery of the liquid or after the delivery thereof has beenterminated and while the container was in draining position. 1 Thepatents to Kimball Nos. 2,115,202 and 2,115,201 show such apparatus.These patents, however, did not contemplate the exhaust of the liquid bysuction simultaneously with the delivery of the liquid.

None of these practices was wholly adapted to commercial conditionswhere many diiferent types of containers have to be treated because Inaccordance with the present invention, we re-condition or otherwisetreat the interiors of containers regardless of their type, size, or theposition of their openings with efliclency and economy. Briefly stated,we accomplish this by initially so positioning a container as toestablish a lowest point below and accessible downwardly through thecontainer opening, by then guiding a stream -of liquid into thecontainer through its opening and directing the liquid against all itsinterior surfaces to ensure thor-' ough interior surface cleansing bythe liquid. Simultaneously we withdraw fluid from the interior throughthe opening by an exhaust stream created by suction applied above thelowest point. The exhaust stream is given substantially the same volumeas the delivered stream so that the container is at all timespractically free of liquid with the exception of that contacting itsinterior surfaces.

. After the interior has been adequately treated by the deliveredliquid, we stop the delivery of the liquid but continue the suctionuntil the liquid is completely exhausted from the interior of thecontainer. Preferably a drying fluid is delivered into the containerafter the delivery of the liquid has stopped but the suction ismaintained during this period while the streamof drying fluid and theexhaust stream cooperate to dry thoroughly the interior. 1

Our invention, as above broadly set forth, provides for the thoroughtreatment of the interiors of the containers. It should be noted,however. that to receive our excellent results, the relationship of thedelivery and exhaust streams is of the utmost importance. Proper resultsare premised on the exhaust stream being efiective to prevent fluidaccumulation within the container that would interfere with theeffective treatment of all interior surfaces by the delivered fluid.

1 As we have stated, the exhaust stream must be of substantially thesame volume as the delivered stream. Since the length of time requiredfor l re-positioning. of the container involved objections is involved.

It will he appreciated that such structural factors as the size of theopenings impose definite limits on the construction of the meansemployed to carry out our invention. We apply the suction above thelowest point P a distance suflicient to ensure the desired volume of theexhaust stream which is sufficiently close to the lowest point so tha'tall liquid can bequickly and thoroughly exhaustedj.. by suction afterthe delivery of liquid has been stopped.

The presence of liquid in the lowest point d.ur-,

ing the delivery of liquid is not objectionable provided that it can bequickly exhausted. If the liquid accumulates above the point of suctionapplication; two objectionable conditions are cre-.

ated. In the first place the length of time required for the removal ofentrapped liquid can be accurately gauged only if no more than apredetermined maximum quantity of liquid is ever present. In the secondplace, since oil or the which we are familiar, the greater part of thedelivered liquid drained out through the openings of the containers andthe suction was employed only to remove entrapped liquid. Air has beendelivered into theinteriors while the entrapped liquid was beingexhausted. Such apparatus did not suggest the essential features of ourinvention. In our invention the cooperative relationship of the twostreams ensures the thorough treatment of all interior surfaces by anydesired fluid.

In the accompanying drawings, we have illustrated our invention to showits many novel advantages. For particular apparatus we have set forththat of our said Patent No. 2,147,247. From the drawings and our ensuingdescription, the full nature of our novel method will be readilyapparent. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in cross section of a container and apparatusestablishing proper delivery and exhaust streams of fluid into and outof the co ntainer.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing one method of establishing suchstreams.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a different method ofestablishing proper delivery andexhaust streams.

Fig. 4 is a. fragmentary view showing the positioning of a container intypical apparatus that may be used in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the delivery of a liquid into acontainer.

Fig.. 6 is a view similarto Fig. 5 showing the rotation" of thecontainerrelative to the delivered liquid. I I I Fig. 7 is'a view similar toFig.6' showing the delivery ofair into a rotating container.

Fig. 8 illustrates the rotation of either the d1elivered fluid or thecontainer.

Fig. 9 shows the rotation in opposite directions of both the deliveredfluid and the container, and also illustrates the practice of ourinvention in the coating of the interior of acontainer, and

Fig. 10 illustrates the use of our invention in treating the exterior ofthe container simultane ously with the'treatment of the interior.

In accordance with our invention, our first step is to position thecontainer C so that a lowest point within its interior is establishedbelow and accessible downwardly through its opening 0. (See Figs. 2 and3.)

We then deliver a fluid stream I into the interior of the container Cthrough the opening 0 and directit as at a'gainst'f'all the interiorsurfaces. As itis essential that the entire interior surfaces of thecontainer be subjected to the effect of the delivered fluid, it isdiverted at a plurality of points from the main stream and delivered asa force spray against all surfaces of the interior of the container. Forexample, some of the fluid is directed as at 2a to cleanse the portionsof the container C adjacent its opening 0 and some of'the fluid isdirected as at 212 to ensure the treatment of the portion of thecontainer adjacent the point P. Thus, we ensure the contact of allinterior surfaces by the directed fluid and acontinuous flow of thatfluid towards the said lowest point P over the entire surfaces of thecontainer asindicated by the arrows 3 in Figs. 2 and 3. h

Simultaneously with the delivery of the fluid stream I into thecontainer C, we exhaust the delivered fluid through the opening 0 bymeans of suction applied above the point P as at 4, the suction beingeffective to establish an exhaust stream 5 of substantially the samevolume as the delivery stream I. It will be noted that the point 4 isslightly above said lowest point P. This point is selected to permit afree flow of fluid into the exhaust stream while permitting only aminimum amount of liquid to accumulate in the lowest point P, whichaccumulated liquid may be quickly exhausted by suction when the deliveryof the liquid is terminated. The volume of the-exhaust stream may beincreased slightly relative to the volume of the delivered, providedthat the efficiency of the delivered stream is not impaired. If theexhaust stream should be of less volume than the delivered stream, theliquid would rise above the intake of the exhaust stream and any oil orthe like floating on its surface would remain on the container surfacesafter the liquid itself has been exhausted. Furthermore, the length oftime required for the removal of the entrapped liquid would not beconstant.

Attention at this time should be directed to the situation as it existsduring the drying of the interior of the container. Generally thedelivered liquid is relatively hot and therefore the container itself isheated. A small quantity of liquid is m the point P, the surfaces of thecontainer are wet, and theair within the container is laden withmoisture.

In accordance withour invention, we are able promptly todry theinteriorof the container,

and this involves the exhaust of any remaining liquid and the moistureladen air from the container and the simultaneous delivery ofa-stream ofdrying fluid into the container in the same manner that the liquid orliquids are delivered. The two streams are cooperative to dry the in:

terior of the container quickly and thoroughly. The exhaust streameifectively exhausts the entrapped liquid' andpermits thedeliveredzdrying fluid to have its maximum efliciency in carryin oil andreplacing moisture and moisture laden air into the exhaust stream.

We have found that in drying, the relative volumes of delivery. andexhaust streams is of importance. If the exhaust stream is of greatervolume than the delivered: stream, thev efllciency of the drying stepand the flow of the drying fluid through the container is impaired. Inthis case, air may also be drawn in through the opening around theconfined deliverrand exhaust streams, and if this air is moisture laden,the drying action is impaired. If the volume of the exhaust stream isless than that of the delivered stream, air will exhaust through theopening 0, and while this is not objectionable in that it prevents theingress of moisture laden air, yet it interferes with the eiflcientplanned circulation of the drying fluid.

It is therefore essential that the delivery and exhaust streams duringthe drying operation be of substantially the same volume. While thisvolume may be reduced after the accumulated liquid has been exhausted.it is of course essen tial to quick and thorough drying that a largevolume of drying fluid'be circulated through the container.

While heated liquids are most efllcient in reconditioning thecontainers, the containers may,

, of course, be otherwise heated before the delivery of the dryingfluid, or the drying fluid may itself be heated.

The suction employed to impart to the ex haust stream 5 substantiallythe same volume as that of the delivered stream I may be provided asshown in Fig. 2 by diverting part of the stream I as at Ia or by thepump 8 indicated in Fig. 3.

The fluids employed of course depend on the desired treatment of theinterior of the container, and we have indicated in Fig. 2 the use ofseveral pump controlled fluid sources in the stream I. These sources maybe controlled in any other desired way as by valves. In Fig. 2 the pump1 controls a washing liquid supply, the pump 8 a rinsing liquid supply,the pump 9 a second rinsing liquid supply, and the pump ill the air orother drying fluid.

As it is generally desired, in the re-conditioning of containers, tore-use certain of the cleansing liquids, it is necessary to prevent themingling of the different liquids. To prevent such mingling, we continuethe suction to maintain the exhaust stream after the delivery of oneliquid has been terminated so that'all of that liquid is exhausted fromthe container before another liquid is delivered.

During this period between the deliveries of different liquids, as wellas during the drying period, air is preferably delivered into thecontainer through the stream I. When the suction in the exhaust stream 5is created during the delivery of liquid by diverting the passage ofpart of that stream, as shown in Fig; 2, it is desirable after thedelivery of liquid stops, to deliver air for a period suflicient toexhaust all re-,

maining liquid from the container.

In Fig. 3 we have as above stated shown the pump 8 to establish thesuction in the exhaust stream 5, and the use of such a pump may permitthe use of air to be dispensed with in certain instances, as when adelivered liquid evaporates rapidly enough without the use of air or thelike.

For some uses, fewer pump controlled fluid sources are used. Forexample, if the interior of a container is to be coated, one fluidsource supplies a liquid, such as an acid, for preparing the interiorfor treatment, while another fluid source supplies the coating A (seeFig. 9). Thus, the fluid sources disclosed in Fig. 2 are not to be takenas limiting, but rather as indicating the wide range oi fluids that maybe used in accord ance with our invention.

When the suction in the exhaust stream 5 is created as shown in Fig. 2by a diverted part of the same liquid that is delivered, it is essentialthat immediately the delivery of liquid is terminated, air be delivered.If this is not done. the liquid in the system drains into the containerincreasing the amount of liquid to be exhausted. As above pointed out,if the liquid rises above the point 4, any oil or the like floating onit will be re-deposited on the container walls as the liquid isexhausted.

In Fig. l we have shown typical apparatus for use in carrying out ourinvention, and have generally indicated at S fluid delivery and exhaustmeans. The device 8 includes a pair of concentric tubes II and I2 withthe inner tube I2 in communication with a suction chamber I3 in the headll. The outer tube I I and the suction chamber I3 are in communicationwith an inlet l5 adapted to receive the stream I. The suction chamberhas an outlet I6.

We prefer that the portions of the equipment establishing the deliveryand exhaust stream to be performed within the container be straight andrigid and preferably in placing such equipment within a container, itshould be disposed as shown in the drawings, as a diagonal from openingto chime, thus ensuring the even distribution of the delivered fluid.

The outer tube II is provided with a plurality of outlet jets I1, someof which are so disposed that the fluids may be directed againstsurfaces of the container adjacent the opening 0 and others disposed todirect the fluids towards other surfaces of the interior of thecontainer.

The inner tube I2 carries at its end a bearing or like member I2a toensure the positioning of the tube I2 a suitable distance above thelowest point P as at 4. The inner tube I2 may extend somewhat below thetube II as shown in Fig. 1. When positioned within the container asshown in Fig. 1, with its lower end over the point P, a straight pathfor the delivery and exhaust streams is defined. The delivery stream isconfined between the outer wall of the inner tube I2 and the inner wallof the outer tube II, and the exhaust stream is confined within theinner tube I2.

Regardless of the particular construction of the means employed toestablish the delivery and exhaust streams, it is important that thejets I! be so disposed that the delivered fluid is directed against allinterior surfaces of the container, and equally important that theexhaust stream take up the delivered liquid at a point and in a volumethat will prevent any accumulation of liquid above the predeterminedlevel of exhaust.

In practice, we prefer to efiect relative movement between thedischarged or delivered fluid and the container and the jets II aretherefore disposed so that all interior surfaces are contacted by thedelivered fluids. Because the container is positioned to establish thepoint P accessible downwardly through the opening 0, we form some of thejets as at Fla and no so that the surfaces adjacent the opening 0 andthe established lowest point P are reached by the fluids. Inasmuch asmany of the containers to be treated have openings in their sides (seeFigs. 1 and 10) it is also necessary to establish jets as at IIc toensure the treatment of the interior 4- surfaces adjacent the openingsof such containers.

As above stated, we .prefer to effect relative movement between thedischarged fluid and the container as by so doing the'number of jets l1the delivered fluid is preferred and in practice rotation of thecontainer is 'of the head or heads it.

With the container positioned as required to establish the point P,thechime and the head preferred to rotation of the container define anexternal liquid collecting pocket indicated in Fig. 10 as at 32. Theremoval of this liquid is a practical necessity and it may beconveniently done by the exhaust stream from the downturned end lGa ofthe outlet i6. Thus, whenever a drying fluid is de- Ilb at an angle of60. The jets I To are formed similarly to the Jets llb except that theyare disposed to discharge fluid upwardly around the opening (see Fig.1),.

. While any relative movement of the containers and of the dischargedfluids is acceptable, rotation of either or both is most readilyeffected. In the drawings, we have indicated apparatus for use incarrying out our invention and to illustrate its many advantages.

Such apparatus (see Figs. 4-10) comprise a chamber 20 having an exhaust2| and a door 22 by which the chamber may be kept substantially airtight, and intakes 23 are provided by which a draft flow through thechamber 20 is created. In such apparatus, a support is indicated at 2!and is adapted to support the container as indicated in-Fig. 4.

The support 24 may be rotatable as shown and its primary function is toestablish a centering support for the container in its desired position.The support 24 for example, may be of the type shown in Figs. 4 to '7,or of the type illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10, or it may be a support ofany type adapted to permit the container to be positioned to establish alowest point P. In practice, we prefer that the container be placed insuch a canted position that the interior surfaces defining the lowestpoint P serve to center the device S or its equivalent and ensure itsdesired position relative'to that lowest point.

The conduit establishing the stream I preferably includes a flexibleportion lb which permits the device S to be inserted into thecontainer'C through its opening as shown in Fig. l, and then guided bythe track 25 into a position where it and the container C are coaxialwith the axis of rotation of the support 24, in which position thedevice may be held by the lock 26 (Figs. 4-7) or by a spring detent 21(Figs. 8-10) so that it becomes a spindle for the rotating container. Ifdesired, the support 24 may be adapted to support the barrel without theassistance of the devices and its locking means.

As shown in Fig. 8 the device S may be rotated by providing aswiveledjoint 28 above a gear 28 adapted to mesh with a driving gear 30.As indicated in Fig. 9, both the container C and the device S may berotated in opposite direc- Where apparatus for carrying out ourinvention includes a substantially tight chamber, its exteriorsimultaneously may be conveniently subjected to the same or differenttreatment as the interior. In Fig. we have shown a spray head 3i adaptedto direct fluids against all the exterior surfaces of the container.Some of the spray jets of the spray head 3i direct fluids upwardlythrough the support 24 to ensure the treatment of the portions of thecontainer in or adjacent the support 24.- If desired, additional sprayheads may be employedfor each fluid to be used in treating the, exteriorof the container. Relative movement of the container and iivered intothe interior of a container, the dry- -ing fluid is likewise effectiveto dry the head of flow through the chamber so that when a drying (fluidisdelivered. the exterior and the interior alike may be thoroughlydried.

The particular type of apparatus used in our I invention is dependent onmany factors. For example, the apparatus used to establish the deliveryand exhaust streams may be varied as desired so long as the twostreamsof opposite directions are established. While particular stepsdepend on the particular treatment to be given the container, containersof the type under consideration herein, in accordance with our-invention, will be efiectively reconditioned by positioning thecontainer to establish the lowest point P below or accessible throughthe container opening, and in thendelivering a liquid into the interiorso that it contacts the entire interior surface, while simultaneouslyremoving the delivered liquid from. the container by establishing anexhaust zone adjacent said lowest point P from which liquid is withdrawnin an exhaust stream of at least the volume of the delivered liquid, andcontinuing the exhaust stream after the delivery of liquid is stopped,until all accumulated or residual liquid is removed. By such steps thedirected liquid is fully effective to cleanse the container which iskept at all times substantially free of any inactive or accumulatedliquid. These steps are essential to the successful practice of ourmethod. To them may be added a d ng step or any other reconditioningstep which the circumstances may require. v

Fromrthe above it will be appreciated that in accordance with ourinvention, any desired treatment of containers may be nomicallyeffected.

' What we therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of treating the'interiors of containers of the type havingrelatively small openings that comprises positioning a container toestablish a lowest point in its interior below and accessible downwardlythrough its opening, delivering a stream of liquid into said containerthrough its opening, simultaneously exhausting liquid from saidcontainer through said opening in an exhaust stream of at least thevolume of said stream of delivered liquid by means of suction applied ata point sufliciently above said lowest point to ensure the uninterruptedflow of liquid intermediate said str ams to maintain said containerpractically free of accumulated liquid, directing said delivered liquidas force spray against interior surfaces of the container toenefliciently and ecosure the treatment of the entire interior surfacesof said container, and terminating the delivery of liquid, delivering adrying fluid into the interior of said container and directing saiddelivered fluid against interior surfaces of said container andexhausting the residual liquid and moisture laden atmosphere from thecontainer bymeans of suction applied at said suction point during thedelivery of said fluid.

2. That method of treating the interiors of containers of the typehaving relatively small opening that comprises positioning a containerto establ sh a lowest point below and accessible downwardly through itsopening, supplying a stream of liquid under-pressure and delivering apart of said stream into said container through its openinsimultaneously exhausting liquid from said container through its openingin an exhaust stream of substantially the same volume as thedeliveredpart of said stream by suction applied adjacent said lowestpoint, creating said suction with the undelivered part of said liquidstream, directing said delivered liquid against interior surfaces of thecontainer to ensure a flow of liquid over the entire interior surfacesof said container, stopping the delivery of said liquid and immediatelysubstituting therefor a stream of drying fluid.

3. The method of treating the interior of a container of the type havinga relatively small opening that comprises positioning the container toestablish a lowest point in its interior below and accessible downwardlythrough its opening, delivering into its interior through its openingastream of liquid and directing the delivered liquid against allinterior surfaces of the container, simultaneously exhausting thedelivered liquid through the opening by means of suction appliedadjacent the lowest point and effective to establish an exhaust streamof substantially the same volume as the delivered stream, stopping thedelivery of liquid, delivering into the interior through the opening astream of compressed air and directing the delivered air against allinterior surfaces, simultaneously exhausting air through said opening bymeans of suction downwardly through its opening in a substanestablish 9.lowest point below and accessible tially air tight chamber provided withan exhaust and air intake, delivering a stream of liquid into saidcontainer through its opening, simultaneously exhausting said liquidthrough said opening by means of suction applied adjacent said lowestpoint and efl'ective to establish an exhaust stream of substantially thesame volume as said stream of delivered liquid, in directing saiddelivered liquid so that it contacts all interior surfaces of saidcontainer, simultaneously directing. a stream of liquid against exteriorsurfaces of said container, and efl'ecting relative.

movement between said container and said directedliquid.

6. The method of reconditioning theinterior and exterior of a containerhaving a relatively small opening that comprises positioning thecontainer in a substantially air tight chamber so that a lowest point inits interior is established below and accessible downwardly through the'effective to establish an exhaust stream of subapplied above said lowestpoint and effective to withdraw any residual liquid from said lowestpoint, said delivered stream being of a volume adequate to ensure thecontinuous contact of the entire interior surfaces by the directed air,and continuing said streams until the moisture laden atmosphere and anymoisture on the surfaces have been removed from the interior of thecontainer.

4. The method of treating the interiors of containers of the type havingrelatively small openings that comprises positioning a container toestablish a lowest point in its interior below and accessible downwardlythrough its opening,

stream.

5. The method of reconditioning the interiors of containers of the typehaving a small opening, that comprises placing a container positioned tostantially the volume of the delivered fluid, di-

recting the exhaust stream against the head of said container wherebywhen air is delivered into the container the exhaust stream thoroughlydries the head, and creating a draft flow through the chamber to removethe moisture ladenatmosphere,

7. The method of reconditioning the interior and exterior of a containerhaving a relatively small opening that comprises positioning thecontainer in a substantially air tight chamber so that a lowest point inits interior is established below and accessible downwardly through theopening, treating and drying the interior by rotating the container andsuccessively delivering a heated liquid and compressed air through theopening against the interior surfaces of the container, simultaneouslyexhausting fluids through the opening by means of suction appliedadjacent the lowest point and effective to establish an exhaust'streamof substantially the volume of the delivered-fluid, delivering a liquidagainst the exterior surfaces of thecontainer, directing the exhauststream against the head of said container whereby when air is deliveredinto the container the exhaust stream thorough ly dries the head, andcreating a draft flow through the chamber to remove the moisture ladenatmosphere.

8. The method of treating the interiors of containers of the type havingrelatively small openings that comprises positioning a container toestablish a lowest point in its interior below and accessible downwardlythrough its opening, delivering a stream of liquid into said containerthrough its opening, and directing said delivered liquid against theinterior surfaces of the container, simultaneously exhausting liquidfrom said container through said opening in an exhaust stream of atleast the volume of the delivered stream by applying suction at a pointabove said lowest point to establish the top level of a liquidcollecting pocket and to ensure the free flow of delivered liquid intosaid exhaust stream, terminating the delivery of the liquid and applyinga suction at said top pocket level adequate to exhaust any residualliquid therein 9. The method of treating the interior of a container ofthe type having a relatively small opening that comprises treating theinterior with a liquid without a residual liquid accumulation therein inexcess of a predetermined maximum, exhausting residual liquid from saidinterior with said container positioned to establish a low point belowand accesible downwardly through the opening by suction applied at apoint above said lowest point to deflne substantially the top level of acollecting pocket for said predetermined maximum accumulation ofresidual liquid, and simultaneously delivering air under pressure intothe container through its opening to carry'the moisture and the moistureladen atmosphere into said pocket and out through the exhaust streamestablished by said suction.

10. The method of reconditioning the interior andexterior of a containerof the type having a relatively small opening that comprises positioningthe container so that a lowest point in its interior. is establishedbelow and accessible downwardly through the opening, treating and dryingthe interior by successively delivering a liquid and air through theopening against the interior surfaces of the container, simultaneouslyexhausting fluids through the opening by means of suction appliedadjacent the lowest point and effective to establish an exhaust streamof substantially the volume of the delivered fluid, directing theexhaust stream against the head of said container whereby when air isdelivered into the container the exhaust stream thoroughly driesthe'head.

11. The method of reconditioning the interior and exterior of acontainer of the type having a relatively small opening that comprisespositioning the container so that a lowest point in its interior isestablished below and accessible downwardly through the opening,treating and drying the interior by successively delivering a liquid andair through the opening against the interior surfaces of the container,simultaneously exhausting fluids through the opening by means of suctionapplied adjacent the lowest point and efl'ective toestablish an exhauststream of substantially the volume of the delivered fluid, directing theexhaust stream against the head of said container whereby when air isdelivered into the container the exhaust stream thoroughly dries thehead, and effecting relative rotation between said container and theexhaust stream.

12. The method of drying the wet interior and exterior of a container ofthe type having a relatively small opening that comprises positioningthe container 50 that a lowest point in its interior is establishedbelow and accessible downwardly through the opening, drying the interiorby delivering air through the opening against the interior surfaces ofthe container and simultaneously exhausting any residual liquid throughthe opening by means of suction applied adjacent the lowest point andeffective to establish an exhaust stream of, substantially the volume ofthe delivered fluid, and directing the exhaust against the head of saidcontainer.

13. The method of drying the wet interior and exterior of a container ofthe type havinga relatively small opening that comprises positioning thecontainer so that a lowest point in its interior is established belowand accessible downwardly through the opening, drying the interior bydelivering air through the opening against the interior surfaces of thecontainer and simultaneously exhausting any residual liquid through theopening by means of suction applied adjacent the lowest point andeffective to establish an exhaust stream of substantially the volume ofthe delivered fluid, directing the exhaust against the head of saidcontainer, and eflecting relative movement between the container and theexhaust stream.

14. The method of treating the interiors of containers of the typehaving relatively small openings that comprises positioning a containerto establish a lowest, point in its interior below and accessibledownwardly through its opening, delivering successively streams ofdifierent fluids into said container through its opening, said streamscomprising a washing liquid, a rinsing liquid and a drying fluid, thedrying fluid being delivered intermediate the delivery of the liquidsand after the delivery of the rinsing liquid, simultaneously exhaustingeach fluid through its opening by means of suction applied adjacent saidlowest point and efiective to establish an exhaust stream of at leastthe same volume as the delivered stream and directing the deliveredfluid against interior surfaces to ensure the contact of said fluidswith the entire interior surfaces of said container.

15. The method of treating the interiors oi containers of the typehaving relatively small openings that comprises positioning a containerto establish a lowest point in its interior below and accessibledownwardly through its opening, delivering successively streams ofdifferent fluids into said container through its opening, said streamscomprising a washing liquid, a first rinsing liquid, a second rinsingliquid, and a drying fluid, the drying fluid being deliveredintermediatethe delivery of the washing and the first rinsing liquid,and after the delivery of the second rinsing liquid simultaneouslyexhausting each fluid through its opening by means of suction appliedadjacent said lowest point and effective to establish an exhaust streamof at least the same volume as the delivered stream and directing thedelivered fluid against interior surfaces to ensure the contact of saidfluids'with the entire interior surfaces of said container.

SAMUEL F. KIMIBALL. GEORGE A. DOTY.

